Hakuhodo DY accelerates growth with AI investment, share buybacks

Hakuhodo DY Holdings is advancing its "Creativity Platform" strategy, integrating AI across six business domains to boost productivity and creativity. The group invested in Third Intelligence, an AI research and product development company, participating in its 8 billion yen funding round. Hakuhodo also established SYNVOICE, a new company leveraging speech recognition and generative AI for enhanced customer service.

The company is actively repurchasing its own shares, acquiring 1,365,600 common shares for 1,556,783,400 yen between November 1 and November 30, 2025. This is part of a larger resolution to acquire up to 12,000,000 shares for a maximum of 10 billion yen by March 31, 2026. Cumulatively, as of November 30, 2025, 7,032,200 shares have been acquired for 8,120,688,000 yen.

Hakuhodo's gross profit margin improved in H1 FY2026 due to increased insourcing and cost control, particularly within group companies outside Hakuhodo. SG&A expenses declined due to structural reforms in North America and changes in consolidation scope. The company is cautiously optimistic about its H2 outlook, anticipating improved organic growth in its domestic internet segment and continued robust performance from its consulting business in the US and OOH media.